Light. Grows in full sun to shade. In deep shade it grows more slowly and looser.
Water. Water once a week until it is established and new growth begins. After that it is drought tolerant. Avoid wet, poorly drained spots.
Soil and feeding. It prefers neutral to acidic soil; leaves can yellow in alkaline or heavy soil. Feed three times a year with a granular fertilizer such as Shrub Special. On sandy soil, correct magnesium shortage with Magnesium Sulfate.
Size. Easily kept at 2½–3 ft as a small hedge or foundation plant.
Pruning. Trim when needed, or leave it natural. Podocarpus looks better pruned with hand pruners than sheared.
Problems to watch. Scale, mites and aphids sometimes appear, with sooty mold. Root rot follows soggy soil and planting too deep.
Good to know. Cold hardy anywhere in South Florida. The leaves are mildly toxic. Birds use it for nesting.
Sources: Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens: Dwarf Podocarpus · UF/IFAS EDIS ENH654: Podocarpus macrophyllus · UF/IFAS EDIS: Key Plant, Key Pests: Southern Yew
